The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-16
GENERAL. BLACKS ABsENTEEIsM.

GENERAL BLACKS ABSENTEEIsM.
Our genial fellow statesman, Colonel Nc
Lean, Deputy Commissioner of Pensions, has
been talking not wisely, but too much. Dur
ing a recent visit at Terre Haute, he un-
bosomed himself to reporter with the un-
guarded freedom that characterizes inexperi-
enced statesmen who have not yet learned
how hard it is to recall spoken words. In
this interview Colonel Mclean informed the
reporter that he was very closely confined to
his duties at Washington, and said, General
Black has been absent from Washington great
then to remove any appearance of malice or
possible injury there might be in the remark,
he added: "And may say that General Black
is the most popular officer in the public serv
ice. He attracts more attention probably
than any other government official in Wash
ington." The taffy was thrown in. The sig
nj fcant part of the statement was that Com
missioner Black had been absent from Wash
ington ITO days during the last year-more
than one-third of the working days of the
missioner attracted attention. It's object
was to show that the deputy was kept very
busy, but it was good evidence on the point
of General Blacks absenteeism- It
not an indsfnite statement, as General Black
is away a good DEAL" or "the General is not
there all the time;" it was defnite-he had
been absent "110 days in the last year." This
shows that the Colonel spoke by the book.
Commenting on his statement the Journal
said "Where has General Black been and what
doing during the Ito days he was absent from
Washington last year, His post of duty is
in Washington. He is paid to stay there and
work, or superintend the work of others.
That is what the people expect under ire
form" administration. Colonel McLean's in
genuous statement that his chief has been
absent from Washington Ito days in the
year raises a suspicion that he has been
travelling in the interest of his vice-presi-
Dental BOOM" It seems to have dawned on
the Colonel that his statement was damaging
one to the Commissioner. Perhaps that high
and mighty functionary has taken him to
task and intimated to him that he had better
do little talking out of the other side of his
mouth. Anyhow, the Colonel is trying to
patch matters up. In new and revised
interview he informs q Washington CORE
spondent that he has observed with regret
disposition in some quarters to misconstrue
his allusion to General Blacks absences from
-, I,x~ %bo vxao%x hat he
like to be understood as saying is that the
duties of the Commissioner of Pensions
are not confined to a desk in Wash
ington; they are as broad as the
country. "His Absence" says the Colonel,
attending the national encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic, at San Francis
CO, and soldier reunions elsewhere, all occur
ring during the past year, I regard as strictly
in his line of duty as Commissioner of PEN
sions. know of no better way for the head
of the Pension Bureau to ascertain the needs
of the soldier element of the country than by
mixing with them at these reunions, taking
counsel with them, and I know that that is
the sentiment of the soldiers with whom |
nave SOhsS1SCu dpoA ILLS SoOJCSt. lAC 40 |
ceives moro invitations to attend reunions of |
this character, / satisfied, than any other |
man in the country, and to decline to respond |
to these invstations, when able to do so, |
would be betraying want of interest in the |
general welfare of the soldier"
With due respect to our esteemed fellow
statesman we must take leave to say this is |
all bosh. 1t is no pert of the official duty of
the Commissioner of Pensions to attend SOL |
diers' reunions. When he does so he is junk
citing The idea of his ascertaining sathe
needs of the soldier element of the country"
in this way is absurd. His duties are de-
fined by law and his post of duty is at Wash
ington. He could not be absent from Wash
ing ITO days in year nor half that time with
out neglecting his duty. The fact is that
General Black has been absent from Washing
ton largely in his own interests. He is con-
sumed with ambition and egotism and imag-
ines himself cadidate for Vice president.
AS one Senator said of another who was walk
ing to and fro with his hands behind him,
with a meditative stride, che thinks he's
thinking General Black thinks he is q candi-
date for Vice. president Under the prstense